See a bunch-o-planets on May 11, 2011

William Atkins
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 07:49

Science - Space

If you can wake up early on the morning of May 11, 2011, you'll get an eye-awakening sight in the form of the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter all bunched together.

About one-half hour before sunrise on May 11, 2011, you should be looking toward the eastern night sky to see the two inner planets of Mercury and Venus, and two of the outer planets of Mars and Jupiter.

Clustered together, less than ten degrees apart, will be these four nearest planets to Earth: Mercury (closest to the Sun), Venus (second to the Sun), Mars (fourth), and Jupiter (fifth).

In all, Mercury will be on the left of the other three planets, with Venus just a bit higher and to the right. Jupiter will be just a bit higher and to Venus' right, with Mercury just below Jupiter.

If that is not enough for you, Venus and Jupiter will be only half a degree apart.

Since Venus and Jupiter are already the brightest two planets in the solar system as seen from Earth, you'll get a big treat in these two glittering spots in the sky.

In fact, Venus is so bright that as the night sky begins to brighten from the Sun peaking past the horizon, you'll see that Venus will still be visible in the daytime.

And, even if you miss this quadruple of planets on May 11, don't worry because they will be visible for the rest of May - only they will be in different positions in the pre-dawn sky.

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